Sunday, July 29, 2012

I keep a composition notebook handy. It's titled "Mandy's Idea Book." I started it about a year ago after corralling the bits of paper littered with book ideas, quotes I like, and baby names. Now they are all safely in one place. Two if you count all of the ideas I have that never make it to the paper. Sometimes, especially while I am driving, or other times when I'm lying in bed but can't sleep, dozens of ideas rattle through my brain. I've composes lovely letters, entire paragraphs, pages even...but they never make it to the page. What a waste.

One phrase I wrote down was something I actually told my 8th graders this past year. I specifically remember a sweet redhead saying, "That sounds really good," so I wrote it down.

"Don't let your dreams die in the nightstand"

I like that phrase so much I plan to write a children's book about it. I think it is a good idea. One that is sad, yet true and resonates with folks from all walks of life. Because honestly, it doesn't matter if I write my ideas down if I never pursue some of them. If I don't work to bring those ideas to life I may as well give up writing them down. I remember one of my English teachers saying that some of the best poetry, fiction, etc. dies alongside the author because it goes undiscovered. I think we were studying Dickinson then.

All this to say, I am trying to make some of my ideas happen. I am stumbling through the self publishing process with "Born to Be a Bulldog," a children's book about Louisiana Tech. It's slow going through new territory for me. I'm not sure what to do "next" as I get to each step. It's taking a while but is a good lesson in patience.

I did write a short story about my grandmother and had it in her hands for Mother's Day. That idea haunted my pages but is now a reality. I've written a few songs, outlined a book for teens, outlined another book about teaching, and created a summer check list. I had 18 to-do's and most of them are checked off. The most recent check happened yesterday...create a writing space. I'm proud to say that this morning I am officially writing from my new, lovely writing space. I worked hard to create this space! It required work and a decision....a decision to move Josie to a room downstairs. I knew the time was coming. I had both other girls in their own rooms long before 6 months. Thus began the "If you give a mouse a cookie" episode that occurred throughout my home yesterday afternoon:

pick up Baylor's room...move Baylor's bed....sort through the clothes and shoes in Baylor's closet....organize what remains in the closet....transfer Josie's clothes to Baylor's closet....dismantle the crib....haul the crib downstairs...reassemble the crib....put linens on the crib....set up room with baby monitors....haul writing desk out of my car....vacuum the spot where the crib used to be....set up desk....situate computer and printer...make room for baby monitors on my nightstand....test baby monitors....

Yeah, you get the idea. All of this happened with three little girls at my heels while Nick was at work and then napping, AFTER my Insanity work out at 9:30am. I guess I am gaining energy by working out.

It feels good to check items off of my list. I know that so many bloggers and non-blogging gals made summer bucket lists. How are they coming? Did you live they way you planned? Were you intentional about making moments and memories? So far my favorite item, or memory, from my list is crab hunting on the beach with the girls. It was a short but sweet adventure. Scan your list. Live intentionally! Summer is almost over... did you do it all?

Friday, July 27, 2012

I won't lie... part of my transformation inspiration is rooted in the dang Olympic commercials. The P&G one, "Proud supporter of Olympic moms," makes my throat tighten. All the same, it gets me going. Like blood pumping' former athlete let's wreck shop kind of going. Maybe that is why I have committed to working out 6 days a week until they are over? And replacing a meal, it's easy peasy now.

Transformation update - haven't weighed since day 1, feel more tone, waist line looks better, less cravings for sugary foods, overall improved food choices, more energy, sore muscles, really sore achilles....still not where I want to be, but it has only been a week and a half. Marathon not sprint.

I've noticed that I don't drink near enough water throughout the day. Why is this so hard? I'm not drinking anything else, besides my Shakeology for breakfast, I guess I just don't drink a lot. I haven't had ice cream or sweets in two weeks, and only ate french fries once at the pool. They were good too! But I did feel bad afterwards. Not guilty bad, upset tummy bad.

I drank the Greenberry shake one day instead of chocolate and noticed that the increased amount of probiotics was, well...noticeable. : ) May have to ease my way into that one.

Back to the Olympics, please watch it. Gather your loved ones, especially the littles, around the tv and root for the U. S. of A. Those athletes are living their dreams and as you watch them new dreams may be planted and could take root. Who knows, maybe one day we will be gathered around the screen to watch one of our Ruston babies. Chances are, if that happens, I will be in the stands yelling like the village idiot. If you sat by me at the State Basketball playoffs you know this is true. Somewhere inside me I believe that the result of the game is impacted by how loudly I scream. Sad but true. I will just have to scream at home for now.

Monday, July 23, 2012

It's Monday and I woke up excited, again, to drink Shakeology for breakfast, and to go work out at 9:30 with my Fit Club.

I looked at my before pictures this afternoon, after lunch and an intense Insanity session, and nearly vomited in my mouth! I didn't realize how out of shape I have become. The pounds just sneak up and stick. I'm not an overly critical person. I know I just had a baby and I have been very kind to myself for the past six months. And I will continue to be kind to myself, but now I am doing something about my overall health. I feel really good, too. I know that I will get where I need to be.

As far as the work outs go, they aren't getting any "easier" because it is all about reps and what "you" can do. I am doing more reps, lasting longer...but it is still tough! We were all dripping today after Plyo Cardio. If it was easy it wouldn't work. Anything in life that is worth it...marriage, job, food, exercise, spirituality....requires work and effort.

Progress: unfortunately, at the beginning of any intense exercise regimen, it is normal for the scale to slide to the right a little. That has happened to me; I started at 166 and today it read 170. This is due to inflammation in ALL of my muscles right now and should go away after a few more workouts. My clothes fit about the same. I DO have more energy; Saturday I woke up and had my house mopped by 7:30am. That is huge! I am making better food choices and have LESS SUGAR CRAVINGS! This is huge for me! Huge! I usually give in around 2-4pm every day! And I justify it somehow, crumbling and driving through Eskimoes or something like it. That has not happened since I started this program. All of the good stuff I'm putting into my diet is keeping me from craving the crap.

About the REST of my life: Here are a few pics from our recent trip to visit Nick's family at their new lake house.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Again, I woke up eager to drink my Mocha Chiller Shakeology for breakfast. I honestly love the stuff! Work out was at 9am today because of an event at the church, and four of us busted our bottoms to get through it. However, today was easier than yesterday! I did not feel nauseous today at all and did more reps today versus yesterday. I really just don't like some of the exercises we did yesterday even though I know they work. Most of my soreness is under my arms along my rib cage and my calves. I'd love a hot soak but don't want to clean out the Barbies and mermaids in the tub downstairs.

This afternoon I was able to share my journey thus far with three friends: Addie, Jen and Danyelle. Two of them had already heard of Shakeology from other people so they asked me about it. This whole transformation thing is something I'm blogging about, but it is certainly not my whole life. I was hesitant to bring it up unless they asked because I don't want to come off as a sales person. I'm not a sales person. Addie's friend, who already drinks Shakeology, looks "smoking'" so I'm anxious to see my own changes.

Around 4:30 I started to fade so I offered to share a shake. Addie doesn't like coffee so I made the Honey Bee: 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology, 1 tsp local honey, 1 cup skim milk and a handful of ice. I really liked that one! Still will have my Mocha Chiller in the mornings though, just 'cus I love my coffee. Love the taste and texture. I've noticed that I am making healthier food choices but I'm not sure if it is intentional or a result of curbed cravings due to the shake. I am also eating smaller portions. Granted, it is just day three so I will see how I progress.

If anyone wants to hear an amazing transformation story, please come to Fit Club next Wednesday to meet my friend Brigid. She and her boys are traveling from McKinney, TX to speak at Fit Club and visit with my girls. Brigid was my teaching partner when I lived north of Dallas. She made me the teacher I am...was : ) I have a hard time saying that because I will always be a teacher; I'm just taking some time off to tend to my flock.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

I slept good last night. Real good. And when I woke up this morning I felt good. A little sore, but good just the same. Alert. My petite cooed sweetly from her crib. I mean, as far as alarms go, it doesn't get any sweeter than that. She greets me smiling every morning and embodies her middle name, Joy.

Today I made my coffee as usual but stored one cup in the fridge. Around 7:30 I made the Mocha Chiller Shakeology and it was sooo good. I promise it was just like a mocha frappaccino without the whipped topping. On my second glass I was scraping it out of the blender.

Going into my workout at 9:30 I was still a little nervous but not hungry. I'm not going to lie - today was tough!! But good tough! I couldn't do all of the reps for each set, but I didn't just quit. Like the video says, rest when you need it, then pick back up. I did. I think we all did! I did notice that it is better to rest but stay on my feet, rather than sit or lie down. Once I'm down it is doubly hard to get up and going again.

After workout we took our measurements and documented them for later use. Again, I did NOT like what I wrote down, just like I don't like my weight. I didn't realize I was holding weight in certain places like I am. Not to mention I'm like a foot taller than all the girls in Fit Club and I'm just bigger all over. Not a good moment for me. My motivation is KNOWING that since I have decided to COMMIT I will see results!

Had a banana after workout to alleviate cramping in my left arch. Strangely, my left leg and foot went numb during workout today. Think I have pressure on my sciatic nerve...leftovers from volleyball and the wreck in 2008. Not bad enough to make me stop.

I'm sore now. It's 3:30 and after a healthy lunch and several glasses of water, I have no headache today. Just soreness. To be expected when you supercharge muscles that have been on vacation for the past year. Sore means results so I like it!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I know it's a bit ridiculous, but I was nervous about the Insanity Fit Test today! It was a cross between first day of school jitters and team sport competitiveness, even though I was only competing with myself. Come to find out, a few others were jittery too.

Seven of us gathered in Uptown at the Downtown campus to test our limits. The Fit Test is only 8 exercises done for one minute each, but it's a killer. We were all nauseous, but we all did it!! My legs were a little shaky for about 20 minutes and the nausea went away quickly. Overall not to bad.

Thanks to Bradley and Katie Walker, Smoothie King Royalty, for providing smoothies for our kickoff!

My Shakeology arrived while I was working out so I was able to make Shakeology for lunch! Again, this is the FIRST time ever that I've replaced a meal so it's a very big deal to me. The good thing is that my shake was amazing, no icky after taste, and there is a calendar of recipes I can use to change up the taste. Who wants the same flavor for breakfast every day?? Not me!

So I replaced lunch today with my Shakeology around 12:20. The portion is large so I did feel full. Had a snack of almonds and raisins at 2:30 with water. It is 4 now and I have a slight headache...not sure it it's from the workout, need more calories, taking my kids to Wal-Mart and the pool or too tight of a pony tail. I had some more water and a cheese stick with a handful of crackers to help. I don't feel starving, just like I want a snack...to chew something.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

The time is now, friends. I'm doing it. Call me crazy, but I'm ready for a change. Starting Wednesday I will be officially Insane! Yep, it's time for Insanity once again. This time I've got ten other ladies going crazy with me. Feel free to join the madness. But now I'm ready to get healthy on the inside, too. That's why I'm drinking Shakeology! I've NEVER replaced a meal in my life. Trust me! But I am going to replace breakfast with this mixture of healthy goodness so I can fill my body with the goods right before my workout at 9:30am. I will let you all know how it goes. And I'll be gut level honest.

If you want to join my fit club for FREE, no commitment, please click on the link below and sign up. I'll be your coach and we can get fit together!

30 day Fit Club - starting Wed. @ 9:30am, The Bridge downtown. Child care available for $5 a day. Email or text me if you want to join!!

About Me

I'm choosing happy! Life is good and I am blessed. I have a great husband and three lovely girls -each unique and inspiring in her own right. Over the past year I have learned to spread my wings as a writer, storyteller, observer. I love to make regular people feel beautiful with photography and even more, I love the cathartic process of helping others write.